Anne Lou Woods-Lancaster, age 89, of Ottawa, Illinois, and formerly of Newton, Illinois passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, at Heritage Woods in Ottawa, Illinois. She was surrounded by her three daughters and her dear friend, Shirley Martin.

Born on October 26, 1936, in Benson, North Carolina, Annie spent her early years on a tobacco farm, where she learned the value of hard work. At age 17, she met and married Bob Woods. Together, they built a family and were blessed with three daughters. Later in life, she married Ralph Lancaster, and they shared ten wonderful years together before his passing.

Annie loved spending time with her family and friends and always delighted in a houseful of people. She enjoyed sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren, bowling in the ladies' league, taking walks, and floating on her air raft on Bora Lake. At Christmastime, she was well-known for her peanut brittle and caramel popcorn.

Above all, Annie loved Jesus. Her faith was the foundation of everything she did. Telling others about the Lord was her life's mission. She was a living example of God's love and was always ready to offer a prayer.

Annie held many jobs throughout her life, but spent a significant part of her working years as a school bus driver. She touched many lives throughout the years she drove.

Annie is survived by her daughters: Debby (Randy) Wilson, Tammy Woods (James Powers), and Misty (Ken) Gray; her grandchildren: Justin Houser, Aaron Wilson, Kalyn Touhey, Emily May, Allison May, Madison Gray, Kenny Gray, and Christian Gray. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, her brother Herman Hall, and her dear friend Betty Blackwell.

She is preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter, Adrianne Runyon; her husband, Ralph Lancaster; her parents; her twin sister, Ella May; her sisters, Martha Brinson and Roselle Hall; and her brothers, Claude Hall and Floyd Elwood Hall.

Memorial services to celebrate Annie's life will be held at 12:00 pm, Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Flora Assembly of God Church in Flora, Illinois with Steve Prather officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. A private burial will be held at a later date at the Mound Cemetery, Willow Hill, Illinois. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is requesting memorial donations be made in Annie's name to Flora Assembly of God Church, 730 Seminary St., Flora, Illinois.

The McGriff Funeral Home in Louisville is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guestbook online or to share a memory or story of Annie, please visit www.mcgriffandtriplettfh.com.